A/N: Welcome, this is my first Skip Beat fic and my first new story in quite some time. But I am thoroughly excited about it and hope you will enjoy it too! Please R&R and enjoy!

Chapter 1: Trauma
Kyoko stood in the hall just outside of Ren Tsuruga apartment and bowed her typical bow.
"Thank you again, Tsuruga-san for allowing me to borrow this book. I think it'll help me a lot in preparing for my exam tomorrow." She said with a smile.
Ren smiled back a small smile. "It's no problem at all Mogami-san. Good luck!" Ren glanced at the sky. The sun had mostly set and the sky was now darkening to black. "Ah, Mogami-san, you don't plan to walk home do you?" he asked showing some concern.
Kyoko glanced outside, "I'm sure I'll be fine."
Ren shook his head. "Give me a second and I'll grab my keys, I can give you a ride."
"NO!" She shouted in surprise. Ren glanced at her a little shocked. "I mean, no, it's okay. You don't have to do that. I can take a cab. You don't have to worry."
He nodded. "But I'm gonna watch to make sure you actually get a cab and that you aren't just saying that 'cause you don't want to ride in my car with me…" Kyoko could've sworn she saw a little of the Emperor in Ren's eyes. She nodded quickly.
They said their goodbyes and Kyoko headed for the elevator. She had already felt bad for inconveniencing Ren by coming over so late and surprising him. But she had a test at the acting school the next day and was hoping to study up on some improv techniques. She smiled down at the book in her hands. She felt so grateful to have a senpai who could help her with these kind of things.
Kyoko hailed a cab when she reached the sidewalk and one stopped moments later, she waved back up towards Ren's apartment where she knew he was watching before climbing in and giving the driver directions to take her home.

Ren watched as Kyoko waved to him then climbed into her cab. He watched as the cab started to pull away and then stepped back inside of his apartment. He sighed, as he thought of how cute she was when she had arrived at his place.

The doorbell rang, and Ren came out of his bedroom. He had on pajama pants, no shirt, and a towel wrapped around his neck since he had just climbed out of the shower and his hair was still wet. He opened the door and was surprised to see Kyoko, the woman he loved.
Her face lit up a bright red as she took in the sight before her. Even though she had seen him shirtless before it still made her blush when she wasn't in a specific character. Setsu for instance would not have been phased at all.
Ren had invited her in and stepped back in his room to put on a shirt and hang up his towel. He returned to find Kyoko sitting on the couch. She jumped up when he entered.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Mogami-san?"
Kyoko blushed slightly as she looked at him. "I need to borrow a book!" She blurted out. "Yashiro-san mentioned to me that you should have a book on improv." She finished a little more calmly.
Ren chuckled a little at her response. "Let me see what I can find."

After that they had talked for a little while about her acting classes and before they knew it the sky was dark outside and Kyoko was leaving while apologizing profusely for intruding.
Ren smiled at the memory. He crossed his apartment and turned on the television before entering the kitchen to grab a beer. He heard the newscaster on the television giving updates on some new movie and it's recent premier, then she stopped talking. Ren re-entered the living room to see the newscaster's face change from animated to serious.
"Wait a moment viewers, I am getting an urgent news report of a major accident involving a cab and an eighteen wheel truck."
Ren stopped and set down his drink. He approached the tv set cautiously. They were showing a helicopter view above a tragic wreck.
"No word yet on if there were any fatalities, but injuries are sure to be expected in an accident this serious. We'll keep you updated as we learn more."
The screen jumped to a weather report as Ren sat in stunned silence. The street that car crash was on was only a few blocks away. It was definitely one that Kyoko would've had to pass on her way home. He glanced at his cell phone sitting on the coffee table nearby. He needed to calm his nerves. I'll just call her really quick to make sure she's all right. He told himself.
He picked up his phone and called her number. Ring… Ring… Ring…
"Come on, Kyoko. Pick up the damn phone."
We're sorry, the number you have called is currently unavailable. Please leave a message at the tone.

Ren cursed at the phone as he slammed it closed. He stared at the tv again as the newscaster from before reappeared on screen.

"Ambulances have arrived on scene and we are getting word that their may have been one fatality. No names have been released yet-"

Ren didn't hear the rest of the report because he had already thrown on his shoes and ran out the door. He slammed the button to open the elevator and waited impatiently for it to open. He rode it down to the lobby and jumped out when the doors were still half closed, startling some people waiting nearby. But he had no time to apologize, he had to confirm that Kyoko was okay. She had to be okay.

As his feet carried him down the street he could hear the sounds of sirens. Please be okay, Kyoko. He begged internally as he ran.

Suddenly, the scene was before him. Police were blocking off the road with yellow tape to prevent passerby from interfering in the accident scene. Luckily, Ren was tall enough to be able to see over the heads of most of the people in the crowd. His eyes searched through the mess of glass and car pieces.

Then he saw her. He pushed through the crowd and over the police tape, ignoring the sounds of the officers yells for him to stop. Kyoko was lying on a gurney near an ambulance. Paramedics were rushing around to move her. Ren grabbed one roughly by the arm.

"Please tell me she's alive," he said hoarsely, as he held back tears. He stared at the love of his life. She was covered in scratches and bleeding from a wound on her head.

"She's alive," the paramedic responded urgently. "But we need to get her help fast. Are you family?" Other paramedics were loading Kyoko's gurney into the ambulance.

Ren nodded without a second thought. "I'm her boyfriend."

The paramedic looked at him gravely. "Then hop in."

When they reached the hospital Kyoko was immediately wheeled into surgery, leaving a fragile Ren Tsuruga to pace in the nearby hall. Ren's thoughts were jumbled but he knew he couldn't handle this alone. He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Ring... Ring...

"Hello?"

"President, there's been an accident." Ren could barely choke out the words.

"Are you okay?" Lory asked concernedly.

Ren shook his head, "It's not me. Kyoko."

"Where are you at?" The president asked quickly.

"Glory Hospital."

"I'll be right there."

Ren was seated in a chair in the hall when Lory Takarada arrived. This time there was no parade of staff or flashy dance members to flank him. He was instead followed by Sebastian and Yashiro. Ren looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"Is she still in surgery?" Lory asked, as he sat next to Ren.

Ren nodded. "It's been over an hour but they aren't telling me anything."

Yashiro asked Sebastian to get them some tea to help calm Ren, and he vanished down the hall.

"Do you know what happened?" Yashiro asked his friend.

Ren shook his head. "She was at my apartment not too long ago but she left for home in a cab. I turned on the news and saw the accident a few minutes later."

Sebastian returned and handed Ren a cup of hot tea. "It'll help," he told Ren quietly.

Ren sipped his tea as they waited. Another hour passed before they were approached by a nurse.

"Tsuruga Ren?" the nurse questioned.

Ren jumped out of his seat. "Yes, is she okay?"

The nurse nodded before responding. "She still unconscious. But she's in recovery right now. You can see her shortly."

Ren crumpled to the ground as relief washed over him. Lory joined him on the floor and put a fatherly arm around Ren's shoulders.

"She's going to be okay, Ren. It's all going to be okay."